| February 26, 2018
2018 Big Buck GNCC Results – The opening round of the 2018 Amsoil Grand National Cross Country Series got underway in Union, South Carolina, February 24-25, for the VP Racing Fuels Big Buck GNCC, and Kailub Russell (FMF KTM Factory Racing Team) got things started with a hard fought victory over long-time rival Thad Duvall (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna).
2018 Big Buck GNCC Results
Russell is a five-time GNCC champ but in those championship seasons, he has only won the opening round once prior to this one.
“For some reason I’ve always struggled at the first round and this one didn’t start off any different,” said Russell.
Russell had a couple of setbacks during the first lap and entered the second lap in seventh place. However, Russell rode a smart and methodical race and slowly worked his way up through the pack, taking over the lead with two laps to go. Russell found himself in a good battle for the win with early leaders Duvall and Steward Baylor (Tely Energy KTM). Towards the end, Russell and Duvall broke away from Baylor and sprinted towards the finish line.
Russell barely hung on, taking the checkered flag just a bikelength ahead of Duvall.
Baylor took third another 1:50.220 back.
“Once I got into the lead I knew it was go time,” said Russell. “I saw that Thad was right behind and he gave me a good race to the finish.”
“I really wanted to win,” said Baylor, “and I tried everything on the last lap, but he [Russell] just out-ran me at the end.”
Trevor Bollinger (JCR Honda), the former XC2-class Champion, enjoyed his best ride since joining the XC1 class, finishing fourth overall, well clear of Husqvarna rider Josh Strang in fifth.
2018 Big Buck GNCC Results
Josh Toth (FMF KTM Factory Racing) was sixth overall but the winner of the XC2 class. Toth, the defending class champ, finished just eight seconds ahead of class runner-up Ben Kelley.
Another 53 seconds back came third-place finisher Pascal Rauchenecker (Husqvarna).
Alex Teagarden (Husqvarna) coasted to victory in the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class, taking the checkered flag nearly three minutes ahead of Cody Barnes (Yamaha) and Dustin Simpson (Husqvarna).
There was plenty of action in the WXC class and when it was all over, Tayla Jones (Husqvarna) came away with the victory. Becca Sheets (KTM) was second, followed by Mackenzie Tricker (KTM), Brooke Cosner (Yamaha) and Korie Steede (GasGas).
Union, South Carolina
Results: February 25, 2018
OVERALL
- Kailub Russell (KTM) XC1
- Thad Duvall (Hus) XC1
- Steward Baylor (KTM) XC1
- Trevor Bollinger (Hon) XC1
- Josh Strang (Hus) XC1
- Josh Toth (KTM) XC2
- Ben Kelley (KTM) XC2
- Layne Michael (Hus) XC1
- Pascal Rauchenecker (Hus) XC2
- Austin Lee (Hon) XC2